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Hugh Heraghty is Site Manager for Marine Havest's Organic Salmon Fish Farm in Co. Galway. Some key responsibilties of his job include ensuring safety at all times on land and sea and bringing the site stock to its best quality. Hugh has completed over 40 courses with Marine Harvest and BIM.

We Asked about...

Current Job?

What is your current job title?

Fish Farm Site Manager

What are the main tasks and responsibilities?

Delegating, prioritising, ensuring safety at all times on land and sea, bringing the site stock to its best quality, reporting all current information back to all the managers in our Donegal Headquarters, while also keeping on top of all office work.

Describe a typical day?

Delegating and prioritising work to the site workers. Also a weekly plan for any tasks or jobs must be generated and completed each week. All jobs and tasks must be completed within a specified time frame.

What are the main challenges?

The harsh windy conditions, all the different species you get in the sea that can harm salmon i.e. Jellyfish, Zooplankton.

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?

A good observant eye for feeding fish and knowing the health and well-being of the fish from a distance. Prioritising work to ensure that it is completed within a set time frame.

How did you go about getting your current job?

When the position was advertised, I submitted my application. From there I was successful in obtaining an interview, resulting in the position being offered to me which I accepted.

Career Development?

What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?

Getting chosen to be the Site Manager for Marine Harvest’s new venture in opening their new Organic Salmon Fish Farm in Co. Galway.

Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?

While working alongside the managers within Marine Harvest, I found them all to be great mentors and teachers while always ensuring I achieved my full career potential.

Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?

Yes, I usually work a five day week, times can be flexible when required.

Education and Training?

What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?

Maths - from calculating feed guides to ordering each load of food, six weeks in advance.

What is your education to date?

I left school before completing my junior cycle at the age of 15. Over the last number of years I have completed various courses, to name a few i.e. First Aid, Fish Welfare, Computers, Sea Survival and Supervisor course.

What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?

All aspects of my education / training to date have proven critical within my career. There are always aspects of it changing and becoming more advanced. To ensure I am up to date will all new aspects, Marine Harvest always ensure I under take the relevant courses and training.

Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?

In this field it is critical to have the most up to date information available to me whether it is fish nutrition, safety, or any other area; hence I am always willing to participate in any training that may become available to me. To date I have completed over forty courses between Marine Harvest and BIM.

Personal Qualities?

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

Being given the opportunity to be the Site Manager at the Organic Salmon Farm in Galway.

What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?

I'm Patient, enthusiastic and hard working.

What is your dream job?

I am doing my dream job; I loved it from day one and still do.

Advice for Others?

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

Being able to work within a team, having the ability to prioritise workloads and being passionate about the work environment.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

You need to be hard working, enjoy the outdoor life regardless of the weather and must be willing to work as part of a team at all times.

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

A Background in marine knowledge and computer experience would be useful in this position.